date: Thursday October 2004 embargo: Immediate release

Attention: Health and safety media

Government response to workplace safety report 'missed opportunity'

TUC today expressed disappointment at the government’s response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report into the Work of the Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive.

The TUC had welcomed the Select Committee’s report as a thoughtful and positive document, and had called upon the government to implement the recommendations, in particular in respect of enforcement, resources and safety representatives’ rights.

The government response does none of these. While the TUC welcomes the commitment to a draft Bill on Corporate Killing, and legislation to remove crown immunity and increase penalties, these are not new. The TUC also welcomes the commitment to enforcement action, but without increased resources this will mean little. However the biggest disappointment is the rejection of the powerful case that the select committee made for increasing the rights of safety representatives and increasing worker consultation on safety. These measures would cost nothing but would have a major effect in reducing injury and ill health at work.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said:

'This is a missed opportunity. Despite the criticisms of the current arrangements, the government is simply saying ‘business as usual’ rather than listening to the very genuine and positive criticisms the Select Committee had made. The HSC does a very good job under difficult circumstances, but with the measures proposed in the report its effectiveness could have been greatly increased.'

Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 713182 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 27 Oct 2004